Book Review - The Peshwa: The Lion and The Stallion by Ram Sivasankaran

I have bought the kindle copy of "The Peshwa: The Lion and the Stallion" almost 2 years back on 14th July 2016, but copy stayed in my kindle shelf due to unavoidable circumstances called To-Be-Read. We even interviewed Ram Sivasankaran (the author of the book) last year (March 2017), still, we forgot to read the book. But a few weeks back I found this guy giving me scary looks on my Kindle shelf. At last, I took it under "Currently reading". And then it brought hell lot of guilty for me, not to read this book early. Usually, I keep 4-5 books under "Currently Reading " shelf and read them parallelly. But after reading the first few chapters of the book, it made a place in "Currently Only Reading" category. Very few books in the last 2 years were able to become the contender of the category. Though it took me some time to post the review.

Book Blurb

It is the 18th century and despite the dominant Mughal rule, the Maratha Confederacy has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the Indian Subcontinent. The fragile peace between the two powers is threatened when Balaji Vishvanath Bhat, Peshwa of the Confederacy, foils the plans of Nizam Ul Mulk of the Mughal Empire, and asserts the power of the Marathas. However, little does the Peshwa know that he has dealt the Nizam an unintended wound—one with roots in his mysterious past and one that he would seek to avenge till his last breath. 

When the Peshwa surrenders his life to a terminal illness dark clouds gather over the Confederacy as it is threatened by a Mughal invasion as well as an internal rebellion. 

All the while a passive spectator, the Peshwa’s son, Bajirao Bhat, now needs to rise beyond the grief of his father’s passing, his scant military and administrative experience, and his intense love for his wife and newborn son to rescue everything he holds dear. Will the young man be able to protect the Confederacy from internal strife and crush the armies of the Empire all while battling inner demons? Will he live up to his title of Peshwa?

"The Peshwa" is written around Maratha Confederacy. Peshwa was the title given to Prime Minister (Second to the Chatrapathi - King of Maratha) The protagonist of our story is Bajirao Bhat, son of Peshwa Vishwanath Balajirao Bhat. Balajirao's cunning and clever strategies had made Marathas independent and strong. He was able to relieve Raj Mata (Sahu's Mother) from the clutches of Moghals without shredding single drop of blood. Balaji Vishwanath wanted his son to succeed the title of Peshwa after him and he had trained Rao well for the tasks. But every road has some turns, things were never smooth for Rao after Balaji Vishwanath's death. Moghul self-appointed Vajir Nizam had broken the peace treaties. Treachery of his own people was his biggest threat after he became Peshwa himself. Read the book to know more.

The book is written in 3rd person perspective. The author has a unique narration style. Description and storyline were merged so well that I hardly find a para unnecessary. Starting from prologue to epilogue I was equally engrossed in the story. Language usage is easy to moderate level. You will easily glue to the book and will enjoy it for sure.

This is for movie buffs. I have seen Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani. This book is far better than the movie and this part is kind of prequel to the movie. I was visualizing Ranbeer Singh as Bajirao and Priyanka Chopra as Kashibai. Just for information, the movie contains only one incident of the book (which is also showed differently) actual movie starts where this part ends, I am not sure whether Ram will add Mastani into the story or not.

Talking about ratings

1. Cover - 4/5
2. Content-  4/5
3. Characte5rs - 4.5/5 (for Nizam & Bajirao)
4. Overall - 4/5 

The book can be found at Amazon and Flipkart

Reviews from other readers can be found at GoodReads

Book Review - 100 Greatest Sportspersons by Kalyani Mookherji

Recently I have started liking real-life short incidents, stories or events about celebrities, businessmen, brands etc. The beauty of this genre is you have freedom of reading book at your liking, your sequence and added benefits of skipping few chapters without affecting overall interest. "100 Greatest Sportspersons" has none such chapters though. The book is worth read for any age group.

Book Blurb

‘Faster, higher, stronger’ is the Olympic motto. But very often the real achievement of a sportsperson is more than breaking and setting records; it is as often about overcoming personal setbacks, changing cultural mind-sets and fighting gender stereotypes. This book brings together 100 such personalities from mid-twentieth century onwards who have not only excelled in their individual fields but more importantly, chartered a new course for others to follow. Through their lives, these men and women have given us a message of inspiration and hope—inspiration to remain committed to our passion and hope that anything is possible if we work hard enough and persevere

As suggested by the title the book contains brief of each sports person's career. The flow of the stories are simple: introductory para, birth & initial upbringing para, followed by their entry into the professional career and their achievements. The final 1-2 paras contain the incidents related to their retirement, awards-accolades and after retirement life. For each player, some unique traits are incidents given at the end of the chapter, which is indeed informative.

Talking about some good points

• Language usage is damn easy. You can easily read it without many difficulties.
• The narration style is straightforward. You won't feel bored. And by chance, any character's story won't interest you much you can always skip it.
• Author has not restricted players from a particular game or country. It is selected based on their persona.
• It can boost your General Knowledge by 100+ sports/player related facts for sure
• You can gift this book to almost any age group. Any person above 2nd grade can easily read this book

Some points of improvements

• Many stories lack life-changing experiences. I mean such high-level celebrities usually have some traits which can be useful as a learning for readers. 
• Stories seem too short. I felt some of the players didn't get equal canvas. Well, I think the author has to decide so I am not emphasizing on the point.

Stories/chapters I personally liked are - Dhyan Chand, Bille Jean King, Eddy Merckx, Garfield Sobers, Zinedine Zidane, Sachin Tendulkar (How Can I not add him to the list)

Ratings

1. Cover - 4.5/5 (I loved collage and sketches)
2. Concept - 3.5/5
3. Content - 3/5
4. Overall - 3.5/5

The book can be found at Amazon and Flipkart

Reviews from other readers can be found at GoodReads

Book Review - Maha Vishnu Trilogy: Part I: The Code of Manavas

"The Code of Manavas" was on my wishlist for almost 3 months and by the time I decided to go for it, I found the book was off-the-shelf. I directly inquired author (Arpit Bakshi) for the same, he told me there was a good reason behind out of stock situation. Actually, the efforts and brilliance of Arpit's work were able to catch notice of well-known publishers. His book was going to be published by them and Arpit had promised me that he would get back once it would be out. Almost after a year, I got July release mail from Rupa publications and I found the book in the list. I instantly inquired Arpit for the same. He confirmed it. The new look of the cover was even more interesting than the previous one. So how could I not go for the book this time? In short, I got my hands on this book after a wait of almost 1 and a half year, so I took the book almost immediately.

Book Blurb

"The earth and the human race as we knew it have ceased to exist.

Bhoomidium, discovered by Krishna, healed the unstable core of Bhoomi during the last apocalypse. It has transformed Man to Manavas and Kali-Yug into Swarnim-Yug.

The year is 2050.2.0000001 and the Manavas are divided into two states, Madhavpur and Ayudhpur.

Krishna sees another apocalypse around the corner and he has a way out – an alternate universe, which can be reached by travelling through Omechta realm.

Can he save his race this time?"

So far I have discussed only my fanatics about the book. So let me give a basic plot of the book. In the year 2050, the earth we know got into oblivion kind of situation. I would say a Pralay. Only a few thousand humans survived. They called themselves as Manavas and they took an oath to follow codes of Manavas. These Manavas were able to defeat aging. They survived million years (same guys not their progeny). But change is always constant in nature. After a million years they are at the edge of next possible Pralay. Krishna is the only ray of hope for the citizen of Madhavpur (one of the two cities exists). Same Krishna saved Manavas and made them practically immortal during last Pralay. The savior Krishna himself was in dilemma and having many questions on top of extinction threat. They were being attacked by some unknown party discretely. Krishna wanted to solve both mysteries, he ventured into a restricted area with an adventurous lady. Read the book to know more. Sorry, Arpit if you think I have shared much but I think no spoilers were touched here.

Let's start with good points

1. To the point narration - Straight narration style. No words out of place. Every event, character, scene is relevant to the story. 
2. Easy to follow language usage.
3. Amalgamation of high-fi sci-fi topics with spirituality
4. Awesome cover art
5. The naming of characters - Found it unique and relevant to the storyline
6. On top of all, kudos to the author's imagination

Coming to point of improvements

• The good point (narration style) is also accountable for too plain narration. It is super-duper fast once any event occurred and normal once things are normal. Maybe people like the reverse. I like to read more about those special events.
• Though the story has twist and turns. The author has started two-three such incidents which have garnered a good amount of eagerness. But it was not able to satisfy my interest after reading. For example entry to another city, invasion of intruders. I would not have mind reading 50-100 pages more if he has elaborated further because I didn't find a single boring page in the book. 

Don't worry, the book is still wonderful even after giving improvement points. Ratings

1. Cover - 5/5
2. Characters - 4/5
3. Concept - 5/5
4. Content - 3/5
5. Overall - 4/5

The book can be found at Amazon and Flipkart

Reviews from other readers can be found at GoodReads

Book Review of - DareDreamers - India’s first Start-up of Superheroes

Father-Son duo (Ravi & Kartik) have developed a good page turner narration style. I have read their first book "The Quest of Sparrow". It was a spiritual fiction full of learning. I loved that book. So when I have checked their tweet about next book, I was attracted to it. Launch cost was around 100 INR for "DareDreamers - A Start-up of Superheroes" so it has entered in my cart.

Book Blurb

India’s first start-up of superheroes with a mission of saving lives is here to kick ass.

Rasiq is riding the highs of life thanks to his successes as an investment banker. But his arrogance soon gets the better of him and he ends up losing everything he holds dear. Managing to salvage only his grit from the wreckage, Rasiq reboots his life and teams up with five uniquely talented superheroes to start a rescue venture

- DareDreamers.

These superheroes Nick: a crazy inventor; Halka: an inhumanly strong man; Arjun: a champion shooter; Natasha: a Bollywood stunt-double; Dr. Vyom, a medical Sherlock Holmes; and, of course, Rasiq: the mastermind combine their unique talents to deliver spectacular rescue operations. Their skyrocketing success, however, comes at a price an enemy hell bent on tearing down their fame and reputation.

Will DareDreamers defeat its wily adversary? Or will it become yet another failed start-up?

Treachery, action and adventure come alive to make DareDreamers a page-turner. 

The story is divided into three parts. Each part has a common character, which is our protagonist Rasiq. He was IIT-IIM grad working in one of the best investment banking firms, earning a hell lot of money. In exchange, he has rented his life to the company. (As per Rasiq) He was so stressed out due to continuous slogging, he just cannot continue the job. On top of it, his personal life ruined after his breakup. He went to hometown and there he got the idea of a startup through a life-changing experience. The second part covers how he and his teammate established a company called DareDreamers. The story needed an antagonist which came as a shrewd established competitor to their company. He ruined their lives for a good long time. Read the book to know more.

Now coming to my personal feeling, the first part seems Chatan Bhagat styled story. I am glad it was switched faster. The second part was more of a superhero rescues, you will be thrilled to read them. Not to forget, you may find it less realistic, but I promise you will find them entertaining. The last part is the mixed-match of police and mystery case.

The interesting part was the character built up. You have Rancho (a tech nerd) in form of Nick, you have Dr. House of House MD (Medical Nerd) in form of Vyom. You have a sharpshooter, a body double (lady) and a bodybuilder. A perfect team of freaks (for the normal world) but unique for the purpose at the hand.

The narration style is simple and straightforward like "The Quest of Sparrows". I finished the book in 3-4 sittings. The language usage is also easy to normal one. Accidents mentioned (first 2-3 one) will bring smile on your face. The stunt narrated are also full throttle . They are conceptualised like an action movie. You can imagine a Bollywood/Tollywood movie based on the story. I would suggest not to apply much logic and let your mind flow with the book, then you would love it. Don't criticize based on your analytical mind.

Overall a nice read. Ideal for the age group of 16-40. Talking about ratings

1. Cover - 4/5
2. Concept - 4/5
3. Characters - 4.5/5
4. Overall - 4/5

The book can be found at Amazon and Flipkart

Reviews from other readers can be found at GoodReads

Book Review - Yama’s Lieutenant and the Stone Witch by Anuja Chandramouli

Before I start let me thank Anuja Chandramouli for providing the review copy in exchange for the honest review. I would like to apologize Anuja for delaying review beyond her consideration. The wrong delivery of the book has somehow put the book in the farthest corner of my shelf. Being a fan of Anuja's book I was well aware of what kind of mood her books needed to read, I took the book when I would be able to read with the needed attention.

Book Blurb

As Yama's Lieutenant, Agni Prakash, has diligently been tracking down demons and spirits that threaten peace on earth and dispatching them to his lord's thousand hells. Danger is a constant in his job, but this time an apocalypse threatens his entire world. Agni must go up against a terrifying sorceress-adept in the ancient art of stone magic-and her bestial army of demoniacal creatures who used to be humans before they were transformed into willing killing machines. The witch has a nightmarish vision for a new world that involves large scale culling of the humans-and it falls to Agni to stop her. He must find the Samayakalas, the mysterious keepers of time and reset the clock before all life is destroyed. However, any contact with the Samayakalas is forbidden to mortal and immortal alike and those who flout the ancient decree risk incurring punishment far worse than death. The price asked of him is an impossible one, but Yama's Lieutenant does not have a choice. Enlisting the help of old friends, he must submit to being borne across an ocean of death and destruction to find the Samayakalas before darkness engulfs them all.

"Yama’s Lieutenant and the Stone Witch" is the second book in the series of Yama's Lieutenant. The story started with a few pages of the re-cape. Agni the protagonist of our story, the Yama's Lieutenant, was up against a sinister witch. Along with the main story, Agni's sister's (Varu's) story/letter written for Agni also continued in this part. Now coming to the antagonist of our story Nayima was the stone witch. A precious gem she possessed had given her unparallel power. She dreamed of a perfect society. But just like Thanos of Avenger, the stone witch also had an idea of destroying current order before procreating ideal world through her selected humans. Her army was the harbinger of death, where ever they went; death, chaos, and carnage followed them. Even Agni had only one option to approach and take help of an unapproachable GGodess. He had some new comrade to help him out. Read the book to know more. Don't worry I haven't revealed much.

Now coming to good points

• A complete combo of action, thriller, and horror. Better than 1st part
• Language usage is brought down to a simple one compared to 1st part
• Awesome cover art
• Ignoring the initial 50 pages even pace is also improved

Things that took time for me.

• Anuja has magic in her words when she writes all the characters (no matter how minute or sidelined it would be) given a great depth. While reading you will feel them important characters, but they would not be. Many such descriptions have added some percentage of bored-ness in the reading experience. For me, without them, the book might be 50-60 pages lighter.
• The bar of the first 50 pages. The slow-paced of first 50 pages were like a never-ending wall for me. It took extra efforts from me.

Overall a wonderful story. Better than part one. Talking about ratings

1. Cover - 4/5
2. Characters - 4.5/5
3. Concept - 3.5/5
4. Content - 3.5/5
5. Overall - 4/5

The book can be found at Amazon and Flipkart

Reviews from other readers can be found at GoodReads

Hounds of Shiva by Preetha Rajah Kannan

I know "Hound" means "Hunting dogs" but don't go by the literal mean. As cover, blurb, and prologue suggest here Preetha has taken stories of Shivagana or famously known as Gana or Bhutgana. This the third book in Siva series by Preetha. Though she or publisher have never claimed these books as series you can easily categorize them under one. The first book was "Shiva in the city of Nectar" which was based on Shiva's stories in and around Madurai. The second book was "Son of Shiva" which was based on Shiva and Karthikeya. And this book is based on Shiva again. 

Book Blurb

As its mahout goaded the mammoth royal elephant to the open space where Navukkarasu was held, the beast trumpeted in fury, knocking down walls and ornamental arches in wanton aggression. The earth shook under its tread and the crowd surged back in fear.

Navukkarasu fearlessly stood his ground asserting, “The Cosmic Dancer who wears a garment of elephant hide will protect me.”

The animal charged forward - only to stop short before the saint. In an instant, all aggression leached out of the beast. As docile as a lamb, the elephant circumambulated Navukkarasu, clumsily fell to its knees, and raised its trunk in homage to him. Lumbering to its feet, it then carefully backed away from its intended victim.

Hounds of Shiva is a treasure house of tales with impassioned, heroic acts of sacrifice, devotion and service in the lives and times of the Nayanmars – the sixty-three Shaivite saints who were exemplars of bhakti. Kannappa gouges out his eye to heal Shiva’s wound; Punitavati renounces her youth and beauty to follow the Lord as an emaciated ghoul; Siruthondar sacrifices his own son at Shiva’s command; Iyarpahai gifts his beloved wife to another man; Samandhar raises a boy from the dead; Poosal builds an intricate Shiva temple in his heart.

But the book’s hero is Lord Shiva, who assumes myriad disguises to sport with his devotees, blessing and testing them. Filled with astounding miracles, Hounds of Shiva is an untold tale of the Blue-throated Lord and a feast for the mind and soul.

Preetha Rajah Kannan is the author of Shiva in the City of Nectar, an enthralling collection of stories based on the revered Tamil text, Thiruvilayaadal Puranam. She is also the editor of Navagraha Purana, a translation of the eponymous Telugu work on the mythology of the nine planets, by celebrated author V. S. Rao. Kannan has contributed extensively to newspapers and magazines, such as The New Indian Express and The Express School Magazine. A homemaker and a mother of two boys, she lives with her family in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

The difference between 1st and 3rd book (Hounds of Shiva) is the central them. The 3rd book is dedicated to solely devotees of Shiva. Thirty-seven stories covered are of such staunch devotees of Lord. Shiva has directly/indirectly tested their devotion. Their devotion and love towards Shiva undaunted by difficult tests of Lord. They were blessed moksha and given place in Shivaloka among Lord's Gana.

Preetha's writing style is magical. She writes short stories with full conviction. You can feel her devotion towards Shiva through her words. Each story starts with a place, a devotee and a beautiful narration. the author set the stage and deliver a wonderful story in just 4-6 pages. If you are fed up with Mytho-fictional made up stories those are hitting market currently, then check this book. It has maintained the same touch of our old religious stories. Instead of criticising lord like current trend, stories here show his importance.

This book can be gifted to middle graders to people in their eighties or nineties, due to the simplicity of language, narration, and subject.

A worthy read. Talking about ratings

1. Cover - 4/5
2. Content - 3.5/5
3. Concept - 3.5/5
4. Overall - 4/5

The book can be found at Amazon and Flipkart

Reviews from other readers can be found at GoodReads

Book Review - The Myth of Hastinapur by Rahul Rai

The Epic Mahabharata was written after Pandavas won the battle of Kurukshetra. Have you ever thought how gory stories would be if it was written by a completely neutral party? Both parties had a black spot but recount incidents and tell me which side got a bigger spot. I have read "Rise of Kali" by Anand Neelakantan and it made me question those events.

The Myth of Hastinapur by Rahul Rai is one such trial where the author has given perspectives of various characters at the different time of the grand event. 2-3 stories were kind of repeat for me, but remaining were really engaging. Like

• The struggle of Drona and Ashwatthama - A completely new perspective for me
• Two friends from two neighboring villages fighting from different sides
• The last speech of Karna - the insistence of being known as Sootputr/Radheya

The narration style is simple. The author has focused more on story than detailing. For me, that is plus point. Language is straight and suitable for new learner or kids between 12 to 18 age. As the stories are in respect to different character, you will find randomness in order. For some, it may look jump from one timeline to another.

Final or one-liner review could be "A worthy read." Talking about ratings

1. Cover - 4/5
2. Concept - 3.5/5
3. Characters - 4.5/5 (Especially for Karna and Ashwatthama)
4. Overall - 4/5

The book can be found at Amazon

Reviews from other readers can be found at GoodReads